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Needs Improvement

#9109 of 9,539 schools in CA

Smythe Elementary

Elementary School · San Ysidro Elementary

1880 Smythe Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173

Enrollment

561

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,109 of 9,539

In San Ysidro

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

San Ysidro Elementary

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Smythe Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in San Ysidro · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

La Mirada Elementary

3.8/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sunset Elementary

3.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Smythe Elementary

Smythe Elementary is a public elementary school in San Ysidro, CA, part of San Ysidro Elementary. Smythe Elementary serves approximately 561 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Smythe Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,109 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Smythe Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Smythe Elementary runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

61% of students at Smythe Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,300
Chronic Absenteeism60.6%

Smythe Elementary — Students at Smythe Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 24.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
14.6%
ELA
23.4%
2024
Math
16.9%
ELA
17.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Smythe Elementary Compares

See how Smythe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1880 Smythe Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smythe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean View Hills (rated 6.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Silver Wing Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Juarez-Lincoln Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Ysidro, see our San Ysidro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
La Mirada Elementary San Ysidro 0.2 mi 3.8
Sunset Elementary San Ysidro 0.4 mi 3.6
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School San Ysidro 0.5 mi
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL San Ysidro 0.5 mi 4.5
Los Altos Elementary San Diego 0.6 mi 5.2
TACK INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY San Diego 0.6 mi 6.1
TACK INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY San Diego 0.6 mi 6.0
San Ysidro Middle San Ysidro 0.7 mi 4.1
Montgomery Middle San Diego 1.0 mi 5.0
George Nicoloff Elementary San Ysidro 0.9 mi 3.8
Silver Wing Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 5.7
Willow Elementary San Ysidro 1.2 mi 4.3
Juarez-Lincoln Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 5.4
Howard Pence Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 3.2
Finney (Myrtle S.) Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 4.7
Vista Del Mar San Ysidro 1.4 mi 5.3
Southwest Middle San Diego 1.4 mi 6.1
Launch Virtual Academy San Diego 1.5 mi 3.3
Montgomery Senior High San Diego 1.7 mi 6.8
Ocean View Hills San Diego 1.6 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92173 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,865

Median Home Value

$521,800

Median Rent

$1,588/mo

Population

26,507

College Educated

11.4%

Homeownership

35.3%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA 3.4
Adams Elementary Stockton, CA 3.4
Anza Elementary El Cajon, CA 3.4
Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA 3.4
Bridge Street Elementary Yuba City, CA 3.4
Carroll Fowler Elementary Ceres, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smythe Elementary

What grades does Smythe Elementary serve?

Smythe Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Smythe Elementary?

Smythe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 561 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smythe Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Smythe Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smythe Elementary rank in CA?

Smythe Elementary ranks #9,109 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Smythe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Smythe Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Smythe Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smythe Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Smythe Elementary a charter school?

No, Smythe Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smythe Elementary a Title I school?

No, Smythe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smythe Elementary?

67.6% of students at Smythe Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

District

San Ysidro Elementary
District Enrollment
4,205
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,300
District Rank
#7 of 7

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